AGE 14
HOMETOWN Harrington
SCHOOL Lake Forest High School
GRADE 9
WEIGHT CLASS 103 pounds
HEIGHT 5 feet 3 inches
In a male-dominated sport like wrestling, one talented female is making a name for herself in the Kent County area.
Nicole Dalious, a freshman on the Lake Forest High School wrestling team, has burst onto the scene and immediately produced results in the 103-pound weight class.
The young Spartan, who has wrestled since she was in fourth grade, is 6-3 this season and has helped her team to a 4-4, 3-3 record.
Dalious sat down with the Dover Post Jan. 29 to talk about her freshman campaign as well as what she’s planning for down the road.
Q What’s it like being a female wrestler in a sport that’s almost entirely all male?
A You have to work harder, but it’s actually not that bad. It’s pretty easy if you put your mind to it and condition like the rest of them. Honestly, it’s not even a big deal anymore.
Q Are you surprised at how well your freshman season is going or is it what you expected to happen?
A I was expecting the guys to be a lot stronger and more experienced than me since the high school level is a lot better than what I wrestled at [Chipman Middle School]. I’m pretty surprised so far and I’ve exceeded my expectations a bit.
Q What are your goals going forward this season?
A I want to win the conference. I really want to win it actually and I think my chances are pretty good. If I keep doing well I’ll get a good seeding in it, hopefully, and then I’ll continue to win.
Q What were the biggest adjustments making the jump from middle school to varsity wrestling?
A They do a lot more conditioning than what I did at Chipman. You have to work much harder and they’re very strict on the weight. So at 103 pounds it’s hard to meet at my height. I have to discipline myself when it comes to diet, and that’s a lot different than it was last year.
Q It’s not just your first year with the team; it’s also your head coach, Freddie Johnson’s first year. What’s it been like having him as a coach?
A He’s doing really well. I mean, he’s taking control, making sure we do what we need to do to be good wrestlers, and he’s showing us how hard work and determination will get us far.
Q Do you have any superstitions or pre-match rituals?
A I used to think I had lucky socks. That sounds stupid now. But I’ll listen to “Remember the Name” by Fort Minor before each match.
Q Even though you’re only in your freshman year, have you set any long-term goals for yourself?
A I want to wrestle in college and I want a scholarship. If I continue to do well, people might see me and want to give me a scholarship to wrestle. But I’m pretty much just focusing on Lake right now. When I get into my junior and senior year I’ll start thinking about that. Right now it’s too early for all that.
NICOLE’S FAVORITES
MOVIE “Blue Crush”
MUSIC Rock
DREAM JOB Professional singer
UP NEXT
WHO Lake Forest High School (4-4, 3-3) at Polytech High School (5-5, 4-5)
WHEN 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5
WHERE Polytech High School, 823 Walnut Shade Road, Magnolia
SEND US NOMINATIONS:
You can nominate a coach or player to be profiled here by emailing names and your reasons to brian.citino@doverpost.com
